Tips for Understanding the Voting Process Improving Voter Turnout Rates Among Students

Between studying for exams, working, and having a healthy social life, college students have a lot to deal with. With everything that college students have to endure, voting may seem like an unnecessary stress factor and may seem overwhelming to some.

Although it may not be the most exciting thing, voting is an important act of citizenship and every vote counts, especially that of young adults.

According to Pew Research Center, millennials have surpassed older generations as the largest generation in America.

Yet, only half of young adults voted in the 2016 presidential election.

Although there are many factors that play a part in the lack of young voters, understanding the importance of voting and not knowing the voting process are some of the largest reasons for young people not voting. Voting may seem complex for first time voters, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips to help make the process easier.

Verify your registration status

Whether you registered this year, or in the past, it is never a bad idea to check your registration status. This can be easily done through the internet.

To check your current registration status, you can go to votespa.com and use either your name or driver’s license number. If you are not registered, that’s okay! You can always register to vote in the next election.

Find your polling place

Polling places differ depending on the address you used to register. If you registered using an on-campus address, your polling place would be in the Dansbury Commons meeting room on ESU’s campus.

If you used an off-campus address and are unsure of your polling place, you can get that information using the same link you would to check your registration status.

Know the candidates

With a lot of propaganda being thrown around during election periods, it is important that you know what issues are important to you and which candidate will work to best solve those issues. Consider the candidates’ background and their views. Watching debates is a good way to gain insight into the candidates’ political standings, as well as their characters.

Know your rights

As long as you are registered, you cannot be denied the right to vote.

Your voting rights are protected by the federal government, and you cannot be turned away due to your ethnicity or ethnicity. If you are denied your right to vote, you can call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE and they will offer you assistance to resolve the problem.